Welcome to Region VIII!Fastened your belt and relax for we are about to explore the beauty of Eastern Visayas

Region VIII 8: Eastern VisayasEastern Visayas or Region VIII is another region in the Philippines that hasn’t no land edge like the other one the MIMAROPA has also no land boundary. Eastern Visayas has a land area of 21,431.7 km2, 52% of its total land area is a forest land, while the 48% is disposable land. The region got a total population of 3,912,936 as of 2007. Region VIII compiles of 6 provinces namely; Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte.

Eastern Visayas has a total number of 7 Cities, 136 Municipalities, and 4,390 Barangays. The regional center

is Tacloban City. Different ethnic group live in various areas of the region like, though Waray-Waray inhabited most of the region Cebuanos live in nearby island like

Ormoc City, Western Leyte and Southwest part of Leyte. Various languages spoke in the region most of is Waray-

Waray, Cebuano, and Abaknon.

The Waray people are known for being music lovers famously is the “Dandansoy” song which is ballad, and their patriotic song is “Iroy ng Tuna (Motherland). Famous dance

that won’t be gone and always present in every dance occasion is “Tinikling” which became the Philippines national

dance is a folkdance, originated from the region. But when we talk of fiesta’s celebration and special gatherings in

demand dance is the famed Curacha dance.

Eastern Visayas is an agriculture area and harvest crops like rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, and banana is their chief

crop. The main source of income in the region is manufacturing naming a few manufacturing firm are; mining companies, fertilizer plants, sugar, rice and corn mills so are other food processing company. Wholesale and retail trade, services are also one of the source of living. The region also has the natural resources, which is rich in fresh water fish and marine product. That is why the region is also one of

the fish exporters in the country.

The region not only has the tourist attraction but also offer the famous home of few state universities one of those are the well-known University if the Philippines Visayas (UPV) at Tacloban, University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) at Cataman, Northern Samar, and embraces number on baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate courses than the rest of the universities of the region. The Visayas State University (VSU) former called as Leyte State University (LSU) and Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA).

The University is a residence of top and high caliber faculty and academic personnel achieving most of their local and international acknowledgement in research and development. A total of 92 are degree holders of Ph.D., 110 MS degree holders and 72 BS degree holders that came from respectable colleges and universities here and abroad. VSU is well known as a core for excellence in research and extension. It produced topnotch in bar exam from early years until present.

Climate:Heavy rain falls and typhoons all year round, no prominent dry season.

ECONOMYPrimary sources of revenue are manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and services. Mining, farming, fishing and tourism contribute significantly to the economy. Manufacturing firms include mining companies, fertilizer plants, sugar central, rice and corn mills and other food processing plants. Cebu is the hub of investment, trade and development in the region. Other industries include mining, rice, corn and sugar milling, coconut oil extraction, alcohol distilling, beverage manufacture and forest products. Home industries include hat and basket weaving, metal craft, needlecraft, pottery, ceramics, woodcraft, shell craft and bamboo craft.   Religion:Roman CatholicAglipayanIglesia ni CristoEvangelicalsUnited Church of Christ in the PhilippinesIslam

People behind Region VIII:

General Douglas Mc Arthur – With ½ assault troops landed on the Tacloban Palo Beaches (White and Red beach) and on the neighboring town of Dulag (Blue beach).

Ferdinand Magellan – First blood compact in the country in southern section of Limasawa Island.

Rajah Kolambu – Accepted Magellan’s first blood compact in Limasawa Island which is held during Good Friday on March, 1521.

Gen. Vicente Lukban – Revolutionary leader who attack the American garrison in Balangiga.

Sumuroy – Led the biggest revolt in Northern Samar and the people of Palapag and Pambujan rose in arms against the recruitment of natives for forced labor in Cavite shipyards.

Products:Aside from the municipal focus product, the six provinces that compose Eastern Visayas also identified their own provincial

OTOP. These identified Provincial OTOPs also represent the product a province is known for, and the opportunities which they hope their MSMEs can do business with us.

For Leyte, it is Processed Mango. This offers processing and production of up to 24,000 kegs'. dried mango and 9,000 gallons of mango juice.Processed food is the Provincial OTOP for Southern Leyte, while Biliran province focus on Processed Coco-based products.Known for its rich marine resources, the Eastern Samar OTOP its Seaweeds production, while it is Mariculture Products for the Province of Northern Samar.

The OTOP of Samar Province is Mussel. This has been a major employment generating product because aside from the meat which is processed into tahong chips, tahong adobo in bottles, its shell can be made into beautiful decors.

FACTS ABOUT THE PROVINCES:

Biliran(The Province of Magnificent

Islands)Capital: Naval

Area Size: 555 km²

Population: 132,210 Biliran is known to possess the clearest and sweetest tasting

water. Historically, it was known to be a haven for

pirates and a fierce battleground during World War

2. Pristine, undeveloped islands surround Biliran such

as Maripipi, Sambawan, Higatangan, Dalutan,

Tingkasan and Genuruan. Natural attractions include

Libtong Hot Spring in Naval, Tomalistis Falls in Caibiran,

Caibiran Volcano, Tres Marias Mountains, and Banderahan

and Agta Beaches.

Eastern Samar(The Land of Good Harbors)

Capital: BoronganArea Size: 4,340 km²Population: 447,800

Eastern Samar is known for river trips and white water

rafting in Borongan and Guiuan, and diving in Divinuvo Island. The rare and valuable

Golden Cowry Shell can be found in Sulangan beach. Other natural attractions

include Hamorawon Spring and Suhutan, Locso-on and Ganap Caves. Historical sites include

Homonhon Island, where Magellan first landed, and the

Eugenio Salazar House. Churches include Guiuan's Church of the Immaculate

Conception, built in the 16th century, and Borongan

Cathedral. 

Northern Leyte(Mahaba Island: An Underwater

Paradise)Capital: Tacloban CityArea Size: 6,268 km²

Population: 1,685,270

Leyte is rich in historical significance, most notably for the site where General

MacArthur made his triumphant return to the Philippines in October, 1944, as

commemorated in MacArthur Park in Palo. Other World War 2 memorials include Hill 522 or Guinhangdan Hill in Palo, Hill 120 in Dulag, Price Mansion in Tacloban, the Japanese War

Memorial Cemetery, Buga-Buga Hills in Villabe, and the Philippine-Japanese Peace Memorial in Ormoc City. Churches include

Palo's Cathedral and the La Purisima Shrine, and Tacloban's Sto. Niño Church and the Madonna of Japan. Other historical sites include the Hilongos Bell tower, and the Peoples Center and Library in Tacloban.

Natural attractions include the San Juanico Strait, Lake Danao, Cuatros Islas, Hindang

and Inopacan beaches.  

 

Southern LeyteCapital: Maasin City

Area Size : 1,734.8 km²Population : 390,000

The islands of Limasawa, Padre Burgos, San Francisco and Pintuyan in Southern Leyte are known dive sites. 'Patag Daku' or Big Plain in

Libagon is a known site for trekkers and climbers. Other natural attractions include

caves at Cagnitoan and Guinsohotan, beaches in San Pedro and San Pablo, a

Sulphur Spring in Anahawan. 

Northern Samar

 Capital: CatarmanArea Size: 3,498 km²Population: 549,759

 Northern Samar has plenty of historical landmarks including

Sumuroy's Marker in Palapag, the former Spanish royal port, Capul Church, and the San Bernardino

and Batag Lighthouses. The most known natural site is the rocky

landscape of Biri, which has been carved by the sea and wind. Other natural attractions include Onay

Beach in Laoang Bay, Rosario Hot Springs, Pinipisacan Falls, and the

twin falls of Victoria town.

 

Western SamarCapital: Calbayog CityArea Size: 5,591 km²Population: 695,000

 Western Samar has plenty of natural

sites including Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park, an eco-system of

natural stone bridges, caves, subterranean rivers, waterfalls,

limestone formations, forest, and exotic plants. Other natural

attractions include Blanca Aurora, Darosdos, Pan-as and Ton-ok Falls, Calbiga, Guinogoan and Tinago-an

Caves, and Lo-oc, Bagakay and Naga Beaches. Historical sites include the

17th Century Church in Basey, and the Samar Archeological Museum in

Calbayog City.  

 

Events/Celebration:

Bagasumbol Festival – September, BiliranBuktay Festival – October 9, BiliranBuyogan Festival – August 19, Abuyog, LeyteTacloban Festival – Last week of June.Pintados-Kasadyahan Festival – June 29, Tacloban CityBanigan-Kawayan Festival – September 28, Basey, SamarSarakiki Festival – September 01-08, Calbayog City, Western SamarBagolan Festival – June 29, Paranas, SamarLapay-Bantique dance Festival – No specific date 

7 CITIES IN EASTERN VISAYAS:

Name PROVINCE AREA(sq.km) POPULATION Baybay, City Of Leyte 459.34 4(92) Borongan, City Of Eastern Samar 475.06 7(130) Calbayog City Western Samar 880.74 3(54) Catbalogan, City Of Western Samar 274.22 5(103) Maasin, City Of Southern Leyte 211.71 6(118) Ormoc City Leyte 613.60 2(51) Tacloban City Leyte 201.72 1(45)

Region Provincial GovernorBiliran Naval Gerardo Espina Jr.Eastern Samar Borongan Conrado B. Nicart Jr.Leyte Tacloban Carlo PetillaNorthern Samar Catarman Paul DazaSamar Catbalogan Sharee TanSouthern Leyte Maasin Damian Mercado

LOCAL GOVERNANCE:

 “Peace and order is the key to a successful tourism industry as safety and security of visitors is a primary concern of tourists when travelling to tourist destinations”, SORIA said during the activation of Tacloban Tourist Police Unit this morning held at the Tacloban City Police Office Quadrangle. 

“It is the policy of the government to ensure the safety and security of tourists in the country. "citing provisions in the Tourism Act of 2009 which stipulated that “the Philippine National Police shall establish a Tourism Security Force to assist in maintaining peace and order within areas of high tourism traffic.” 

With this activation, the TOP COP or Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program is fully operational and will hopefully entice more tourists to visit the region with this added commitment to their safety and security.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Transportations

AT LEAST 40 tourism attractions in Eastern Visayas were identified as priority destinations in the newly-drafted sectoral plan.

In northeast Leyte, the destinations for conferences and events are Tacloban City, Palo and Babatngon; Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park in Burauen for nature; and Leyte Sab-a Basin Wetland Agri-Eco Park in Palo, Sta. Fe, Alangalang and San Miguel for agri-educational.

In northwest Leyte are the Leyte Industrial Development Estate in Isabel, Energy Development Corporation Geothermal Steamfield in Ormoc City and Kananga, Pineapple Plantation in Ormoc City, Visayas State University in Baybay City, Lake Danao in Ormoc City, and Tabuk Marine Park in Palompon, Golf Course Urban Amenities in Ormoc and Albuera; Cuatro Islas Hindang and Inopacan for conferences and events; and Mount Pangasugan Nature Park in Baybay for nature, environment and educational tour.

In Biliran, identified sites are Mainit Hot and Cold Springs in Caibiran for nature; Higatangan Island in Naval for diving; and Sambawan Island in Maripipi for marine sport. The Sogod Bay of Southern Leyte, Maasin Zoo in Maasin City, Agas Agas Adventure Park in Sogod, and closed canopy forest in Silago – all cater to adventure, educational and nature activities – are also priority destinations. In Samar are Sohoton Cave in Basey, seascape in Marabut, Ulot watershed ecotourism loop in Paranas, Agutay Island in Daram, Bangon Falls and Rapids in Calbayog City – all target visitors who are enthusiastic in caving, diving and adventure. Attraction in Eastern Samar are Calicoan Island in Guiuan for marine sports and cultural activities, Ando and Divinubo Islands in Borongan City for sun and beach, Amandaraga Falls in Lawaan for nature, closed canopy forest in Borongan City, Maydolong and Llorente for forest adventure.

Tourist spots

The region's Leyte and Samar islands serve as main link between Luzon and Mindanao by land transport. A total of nine airports, are strategically located in different parts of the six provinces that comprise the region. Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City is the main gateway by air to the region. There are seaports in Tacloban, Catbalogan, Calbayog, Borongan, Ormoc, Bato, Maasin, Sogod and Naval.

TRANSPORTATION

Viva Pit Senyor!